Burlington County Animal Shelter finds homes for record number in 2016

In total, 2,751 animals were adopted or rescued.

Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio recently announced that 2016 was a record-breaking year for adoptions and rescues at the Burlington County Animal Shelter. In total, 2,751 animals were adopted or rescued.

“2016 was a phenomenal year at the shelter, and the staff and Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter deserve a ton of credit for all of their hard work for these animals and the promotional events they organize and run,” Garganio said. “1,922 cats were adopted or rescued compared to 1,828 last year and 829 dogs found permanent homes compared to 813 in 2015.”

According to Burlington County, reclaims also saw an increase in 2016. A total of 97 cats and 602 dogs were reclaimed by their owners. In addition to adoptions, the free rabies clinics vaccinated more than 949 animals.

“Much of the success last year came from adoption promotional events, especially ones around the holidays,” Garganio said. “In November we saw a total of 28 kittens, 26 cats and 21 dogs all find forever homes at the Home for the Pawlidayz adoption event. Social media has been a driving force in the increase in adoptions as well. People in the community recommend events and promotions and share their favorite animals to family and friends. The response has been nothing short of amazing.”

Pictures of animals up for adoption are updated regularly and placed on the shelter’s website, on PetFinder, and also shared on Burlington County’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, which can be found at BurlingtonCountyNJ and @BurlCoNJ. The shelter also offers other promotions including seniors adopt for free, free pets for vets, and the save a senior program.

“I ask the residents of Burlington County to help the shelter continue to break even more records in 2017, and if you are looking to adopt a furry friend, the Burlington County Animal Shelter is the best place to go,” Garganio said.

The Burlington County Animal Shelter is located at 35 Academy Drive in Westampton, behind the Burlington County Library. The shelter is open noon to 4 p.m. every day except Thursday, when it is open noon to 7 p.m.

For more information, call (609) 265–5073 or visit the county website at www.co.burlington.nj.us/168/Animal-Shelter.